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Present perfect continuous (I have been working)

Present perfect continuous: form​

We use have/has + been + the -ing form of the verb.

+she, he, itI, you, we, theyhashavebeen working.
−she, he, itI, you, we, they(full form)has nothave notbeen working.
she, he, itI, you, we, they(short form)hasn’thaven’t
? +HasHaveshe, he, itI, you, we, theybeen working?
? −(full form)HasHaveshe, he, itI, you, we, theynotbeen working?
(short form)Hasn’tHaven’tshe, he, itI, you, we, they

Present perfect continuous: uses​

Recent past activities​

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a finished activity in the recent past. Using the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity.

We don’t give a specific time. Even though the activity is finished, we can see the result in the present:

  • I*’ve** just been* cleaning the car. (The car is wet and clean.)
  • It*’s*** been snowing. (The ground is covered in snow.)
  • What have you been buying?

One continuing event​

We use the present perfect continuous for a single activity that began at a point in the past and is still continuing:

  • I*’ve*** been reading your book – it’s great. (I’m still reading it.)
  • He*’s been living** in the village since 1995.* (He is still living in the village.)
  • She has been writing her autobiography since 1987.

Repeated continuing events​

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about repeated activities which started at a particular time in the past and are still continuing up until now:

  • I*’ve*** been going to Spain on holiday every year since 1987.
  • I haven’t been eating much lunch lately. I*’ve*** been going to the gym at lunchtimes.
  • She*’s*** been playing tennis on and off for three years.

How long …?​

We often use the present perfect continuous to ask and answer questions about the duration of an activity. We use the question How long …+ present perfect continuous:

  • A: How long have you been waiting for me?
  • B: About ten minutes. Not too long. (I’ve been waiting for about ten minutes.)
See also
  • For
  • How